Portable voice message terminal capable of transmitting pre-set text-based information

• US 5,697,060 A
• Filed: 03/25/1996
• Issued: 12/09/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Akahane, Masaaki
• Primary Examiner(s): Eisenzopf, Reinhard J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SOBUTKA, PHILIP
• Application Number:
  US08/622,512
• Time in Patent Office: 624 Days
• Field of Search: 455/38.1, 455/38.2, 455/73, 455/89, 455/91, 455/95, 455/228, 340/825.44, 340/825.45
• US Class Current: 340/7.31
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72424 with manual activation of emergency-service functions
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/7243 with interactive means for internal management of messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72433 for voice messaging, e.g. dictaphones for answering incoming calls H04M1/64
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/023 with message or information receiving capability

Abstract

A portable wireless voice message transmitter over packet switched network for transmitting a voice message is provided. The transmitter is capable of transmitting a voice message and text-based information when a user makes an emergency call to a special address with which the text-based information is associated. The transmitter includes text-based information setting circuit for setting text-based information, a first memory for storing the text-based information, a special address setting circuit for setting a special address which is associated with the text-based information and a second memory for storing the special address. The transmitter also includes a microphone for inputting a voice message, a third memory for storing the voice message, a destination setting circuit for setting a destination, a transmission start key operable by a user for generating a transmission start signal and a transmitter circuit responsive to the transmission start signal for transmitting the voice message stored to the destination address. When the destination address is coincident with the special address stored in the first memory, the transmitter circuit transmits the text-based information as well as the voice message to the destination address so that the message recipient receives both the voice message and the text-based information.

Claims

1. A portable voice message terminal for communicating with a base station connected to a communication network comprising:

first memory means for storing text-based information;

second memory means for storing a special address, said special address being associated with said text-based information stored in said first memory means;

voice message input means operable by a user for inputting a voice message;

third memory means for storing said voice message;

destination setting means operable by the user for setting a destination address to which said voice message is eventually transmitted;

transmission start means operable by the user for generating a transmission start signal;

transmitting means responsive to said transmission start signal for transmitting said voice message stored in said third memory means via said base station to said destination address, wherein said transmitting means transmits said text-based information and said voice message via said base station to said destination address when said destination address corresponds to said special address stored in said second memory means.

2. The portable voice message terminal according to claim 1, further comprising:

text-based information setting means operable by the user for setting said text-based information to be stored in said first memory means.

3. The portable voice message terminal according to claim 1, further comprising:

special address setting means operable by the user for setting said special address to be stored in said second memory means.

4. The portable voice message terminal according to claim 1, further comprising:

encoding means for encoding said voice message inputted through said voice message input means and for producing an encoded data, wherein said third memory means stores said encoded data as said voice message and said transmitting means transmits said encoded data.

5. A portable voice message terminal for communicating with a base station connected to a communication network comprising:

a text-based information setting circuit for setting text-based information;

a first memory for storing said text-based information;

a special address setting circuit for setting a special address, said special address being associated with said text-based information stored in said first memory;

a second memory for storing said special address;

a microphone for inputting a voice message;

an encoder for encoding said voice message inputted through said microphone and for providing an encoded data corresponding to said voice message;

a third memory for storing said encoded data provided by said encoder;

a destination setting circuit for setting a destination address to which said encoded data is eventually transmitted;

a transmission start key operable by a user for generating a transmission start signal;

a transmitter circuit responsive to said transmission start signal for transmitting said encoded data stored in said third memory in said base station to said destination address, wherein said transmitter circuit transmits said text-based information and said encoded data via said base station to said destination address when said destination address corresponds to said special address stored in said second memory.